3 Dimensional Decorative Artificial Nail Tip

ABSTRACT

The invention pertains to a nail tip comprising of an artificial nail tip having a top surface and a bottom surface. The artificial nail tip has a plurality of decorative particles covering the entire top surface of the artificial nail tip and a base adhesive to attach the plurality of decorative particles to the top surface of the artificial nail tip and to other pluralities of decorative particles.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/813338 entitled, HauteNautic Micros by Khuong VO, filed Apr. 18, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This specification generally relates to the field of artificial nail tips. More specifically, this specification relates to pre-manufacturing artificial nail tips with decorative particles to produce a 3 dimensional (3D) visual and/or tactile effect.

BACKGROUND

The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem and the understanding of the causes of a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section may merely represent different approaches, which in and of themselves may also be inventions.

The invention is about fashionable pre-manufacture 3D multi-color micro beads and/or pre-manufacture 3D glitters on top of artificial nail tips, cell phone covers, tablet covers, laptop covers or other applicable surfaces such as plastic, metal, laminated wood or glass surfaces.

Manufactured artificial nail tips are broadly known in the prior art. However, decorative aspects of these manufactured artificial nail tips have been limited in design such as different shapes of nail tips or different colors of nail tips. Recent fashion trends have directed the nail industry to develop more decorative designs to artificial nail tips. Recent designs include artwork painted on the nails. Other designs include painting the tips of the nail white while leaving the remainder of the body of the nail tip a pink color tone, more commonly known in the art as “French Tips.”

Currently, nail technicians and in some cases, ordinary consumers have minimal desire to hand make fingernails with decorative particles because it is highly time consuming. Also, handmade decorative particles designs on top of fingernails may have less of a lasting effect. Nail technicians and consumers prefer to have an artificial nail tip with various decorative particles already pre-manufactured on the artificial nail tip so they can easily attach the artificial nail tip to the fingernail to save time. No company has manufactured artificial nail tips pre-manufactured with decorative particles covering the entire artificial nail tips. Furthermore, no company has manufactured artificial nail tips pre-manufactured with decorative particles to provide a 3D visual and/or tactile effect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the following drawings like reference numbers are used to refer to like elements. Although the following figures depict various examples of the invention, the invention is not limited to the examples depicted in the figures.

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of an artificial nail tip.

FIG. 2 shows a diagram of an embodiment of an artificial nail tip pre-manufactured with decorative particles.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an artificial nail tip pre-manufactured with decorative particles taken longitudinally along the 3-3 cut line of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for manufacturing an artificial nail tip with decorative particles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although various embodiments of the invention may have been motivated by various deficiencies with the prior art, which may be discussed or alluded to in one or more places in the specification, the embodiments of the invention do not necessarily address any of these deficiencies. In other words, different embodiments of the invention may address different deficiencies that may be discussed in the specification. Some embodiments may only partially address some deficiencies or just one deficiency that may be discussed in the specification, and some embodiments may not address any of these deficiencies.

In general, at the beginning of the discussion of each of FIGS. 1-3 is a brief description of each element, which may have no more than the name of each of the elements in the one of FIGS. 1-3 that is being discussed. After the brief description of each element, each element is further discussed in numerical order. In general, each of FIGS. 1-3 is discussed in numerical order and the elements within FIGS. 1-3 are also usually discussed in numerical order to facilitate easily locating the discussion of a particular element. Nonetheless, there is no one location where all of the information of any element of FIGS. 1-3 is necessarily located. Unique information about any particular element or any other aspect of any of FIGS. 1-3 may be found in, or implied by, any part of the specification.

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of an artificial nail tip generally designated as reference numeral 100. Artificial nail tip 100 may include a front edge 110, a top surface 120, a bottom surface 130, and a back edge 140.

Artificial nail tip 100 is a standard nail tip that typically is attached to a fingernail. The artificial nail tip 100 is preferably constructed from a plastic like material such as ABS Plastic, tenite acetate, or nylon, and is generally rectangular in shape. In some embodiments, artificial nail tip 100 may exist in various shapes such as oval, square, triangular, etc. Artificial nail tip 100 is not limited to any particular dimensions or shapes, and preferably, a plurality of artificial nail tip 100, of various dimensions, can be sold as a package, in order to provide a selection to the user. Furthermore, artificial nail tip 100 may be different colors.

Front edge 110 is the portion of the artificial nail tip 100 typically furthest from the fingernail when artificial nail tip 100 is attached to the fingernail. Top surface 120 is the surface of the artificial nail tip 100 that is opposite the surface that is attached to the fingernail. Top surface 120 is the surface where the decorative designs for artificial nail tip 100 is applied. For example, when a nail technician paints an artificial nail tip 100, once attached to a fingernail, the color nail polish is typically painted onto the top surface 120 of the artificial nail tip 100.

Bottom surface 130 is the surface that attaches to the fingernail. In some embodiments, the majority of the bottom surface 130 is in direct contact with the fingernail. In other embodiments, only a small portion of the bottom surface 130 is in contact with a fingernail to extend the fingernail; more commonly known in the art as a French tip nail tip. Rear edge 140 is the portion of the artificial nail tip 100 that is always in contact with a fingernail when attached to a fingernail. In some embodiments, rear edge 140 is in contact with both a fingernail and the cuticle of the finger. In other embodiments, rear edge 140 is in contact with just the tip of a fingernail. Artificial nail tip 100 is not limited to any particular attachment techniques to a fingernail for the purpose of this invention.

FIG. 2 shows a diagram of an embodiment of an artificial nail tip pre-manufactured with decorative particles generally designated as reference numeral 200. Nail tip 200 may include front edge 110, top surface 120, micro bead 210, glitter 220, and rear edge 140.

In an embodiment, nail tip 200 includes artificial nail tip 100 along with decorative particles such as micro bead 210 and glitter 220. Micro bead 210 is a round bead typically made out of glass, metal, or plastic. In some embodiments, micro bead 210 is at least 0.4 mm in diameter to provide a 3D visual and/or tactile effect. The micro bead 210 may be of varying colors. In some embodiments, the micro bead 210 is placed throughout the entire nail tip 200 to produce a 3D visual and tactile effect.

Glitter 220 is glitter of various shapes, sizes, color, and designs. The glitter 220 is typically at least 0.078″ in size. In some embodiments, the glitter 220 is placed throughout the entire nail tip 200 to produce a visual shine and glamour of a fully covered nail tip 200. The shape of glitter 220 may include round, diamond, hearts, flower, birds, playboy symbol, stars, and squares. Glitter 220 may be known in industry as flakes, confetti, or large glitters. In some embodiments, all of the different decorative particles, such as the micro bead 210 and the glitter 220, may be introduced onto the same nail tip 200. In other embodiments, only the micro bead 210 may be introduced onto the nail tip 200 or only the glitter 220 may be introduced onto the nail tip 200. Various embodiments may have various combinations or solo combination of the various decorative particles such as the micro bead 210 or the glitter 220. Nail tip 200 is not limited to any one combination of the various decorative particles. Existing prior arts may have included pre-manufactured nail tips with small fine sized glitter used in the manufacture of the nail tips, however, no prior art exists where the glitters used are of a size greater than 0.078″. In an embodiment, glitter 220 is of size 0.078″ or greater is used to provide a 3D visual and/or tactile effect. Furthermore, micro bead 210 is generally of a diameter greater than 0.4 mm to provide a 3D visual and/or tactile effect. Existing prior arts may have included pre-manufactured nail tips with small fine sized glitter placed on only a small portion of the top surfaces of a manufactured nail tips. In an embodiment, the entire nail tip 200 is covered with either micro bead 210 and/or glitter 220. In some embodiments, nail tip 200 may include glitter of size smaller than 0.078″ for additional design options.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an artificial nail tip pre-manufactured with decorative particles taken longitudinally along the 3-3 cut line of FIG. 2 generally designated as reference numeral 300. Cross-sectional nail tip 300 may include base adhesive 310, top coat adhesive 320, top surface 120, bottom surface 130, micro bead 210, and glitter 220.

Base adhesive 310 is an adhesive to provide adhesion of the various decorative particles such as micro bead 210 and glitter 220 to the top surface of the artificial nail tip 100. Base adhesive 310 is specially formulated to secure the decorative particles to the top surface 120 of the artificial nail tip. Furthermore, base adhesive 310 can be used to provide adhesion of the various decorative particles to one another. Base adhesive may be formulated by a combination of a glue mixed with either polish thinner or acetone to achieve the appropriate level of viscosity for the appropriate level of adhesion.

Top coat adhesive 320 is another adhesive to provide a cover adhesion on top of the decorative particles. In one embodiment, top coat adhesive 320 is similar to top coats used by nail technicians or individuals to place over a finished nail product to protect the nail from scratches or impact from every day use. In some embodiments, top coat adhesive 320 provides an additional adhesion between the micro bead 210, glitter 220, top surface 120 and base adhesive 310. Top coat adhesive 320 is generally clear and transparent in color to maintain the original designs of the nail tip 200. In some embodiments, top coat adhesive 320 may be various colors as well as clear and transparent. In other embodiments, top coat adhesive 320 may also provide additional adhesion between the decorative particles such as micro bead 210 and glitter 220. In other embodiments, top coat adhesive 320 may be an ultra violet (UV) gel overlay to provide a smooth finish similar to a crystal ball while preserving a 3D visual effect below the layer of the UV gel top coat adhesive 320. The UV gel overlay is a gel that cures under either a UV or LED lamp.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method 400 for manufacturing an artificial nail tip with decorative particles. In step 410, a set of artificial nail tip 100 is placed on a wire tray. In an embodiment, a set of artificial nail tip 100 may be a set of 12 artificial nail tip 100 of the same size. In another embodiment, a set of 12 artificial nail tip 100 may be of varying sizes. In an embodiment, the wire tray may be made of a metal of some kind such as steel or aluminum or plastic. The wire tray helps to minimize the base adhesive 310 from collecting on the tray and sticking to subsequent artificial nail tip 100 on future implementation.

In step 420, base adhesive 310 is applied onto the top surface 120 of artificial nail tip 100 to provide an adhesive layer on the top surface 120. Application of base adhesive 310 may be in the form of a spray or brush. In one embodiment, the base adhesive 310 is applied to the top surface 120 and not allowed to cure before proceeding to the next step. In step 430, artificial nail tip 100 is moved from the first wire tray to a second wire tray in preparation for the sprinkling of 3D decorative particles onto the top surface 120 of artificial nail tip 100.

In step 440, artificial nail tip 100 is sprinkled with decorative particles. The decorative particles may be a plurality of glitter 220 and/or micro bead 210. Sprinkling is the process of randomly distributing decorative particles onto artificial nail tip 100. In some embodiments, decorative particles are sprinkled over the entire top surface 120 of artificial nail tip 100. In some embodiments, glitter 220 may be limited to only one shape and one size. In other embodiments, glitter 220 may include various shapes and various sizes. In some embodiments, micro bead 210 may also be sprinkled onto artificial nail tip 100 in addition to glitter 220. In some embodiments, only micro bead 210 is sprinkled onto artificial nail tip 100. In other embodiments, the base adhesive 310 is not cured before sprinkling the plurality of glitter 220 and/or micro bead 210 so that the glitter 220 and/or micro bead 210 may adhere to the top surface 120 and to each other.

In step 450, artificial nail tip 100 with decorative particles is moved onto a second wire tray in preparation for the application of adhesive top coat 320.

In step 460, top coat adhesive 320 is applied to artificial nail tip 100 with decorative particles, now referred to as nail tip 200. Top coat adhesive 320 provides a protective top coat over nail tip 200. Application of top coat adhesive 320 may be performed by spray or brush. Furthermore, top coat adhesive 320 provides an additional adhesion between the decorative particles to one another and to top surface 120 of artificial nail tip 100. In some embodiments, top coat adhesive 320 is a UV gel overlay that provides a crystal ball like finish while preserving the 3D visual effect of the decorative particles.

In step 470, nail tip 200 is set to dry until top coat adhesive 320 cures. In some embodiments, nail tip 200 may cure on the wire tray used during application of top coat adhesive 320. In other embodiments, nail tip 200 may be moved to another wire tray for curing (drying). In some embodiments, the curing process is shortened by air drying. In other embodiments, the curing process may be accomplished with a low heat or no heat air blower.

In step 480, nail tip 200, once dried and cured, is plucked and packaged for inventory or shipping. In some embodiments, nail tip 200 may not require plucking before being packaged for inventory or shipping. In other embodiments, nail tip 200 may require plucking for special package and handling.

In an embodiment, each of the steps of method 400 is a distinct step. In another embodiment, although depicted as distinct steps in FIG. 4, step 410-480 may not be distinct steps. In other embodiments, method 400 may not have all of the above steps and/or may have other steps in addition to or instead of those listed above. The steps of method 400 may be performed in another order. Subsets of the steps listed above as part of method 400 may be used to form their own method. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A nail tip comprises: an artificial nail tip having a top surface and a bottom surface; a plurality of decorative particles covering the entire top surface of the artificial nail tip; and a base adhesive to attach the plurality of decorative particles to the top surface of the artificial nail tip and to other pluralities of decorative particles.
 2. The nail tip of claim 1 wherein the plurality of decorative particles are micro beads.
 3. The nail tip of claim 2 wherein the micro beads are at least 0.4 millimeters in diameter.
 4. The nail tip of claim 3 wherein the micro beads are plastic.
 5. The nail tip of claim 1 wherein the plurality of decorative particles are glitters.
 6. The nail tip of claim 5 wherein the glitters are at least 0.078 inches in size.
 7. The nail tip of claim 6 wherein the glitters are diamond shaped confetti.
 8. The nail tip of claim 1 wherein the plurality of decorative particles comprises micro beads of at least 0.4 millimeters in diameter and glitters of at least 0.078 inches in size.
 9. The nail tip of claim 1 further comprises a top coat adhesive to attach the plurality of decorative particles to the top surface and to other pluralities of decorative particles.
 10. The nail tip of claim 1 wherein the top coat adhesive is a UV Gel overlay.
 11. The nail tip of claim 1 wherein the bottom surface attaches to the entire nail bed when attached to a fingernail.
 12. The nail tip of claim 1 wherein the bottom surface attaches to a small portion of a finger nail to extend the fingernail.
 13. A method of manufacturing nail tips comprising the steps: a) placing a set of artificial nail tips on a first wire tray; b) applying a base adhesive onto a top surface of a plurality of artificial nail tips; c) sprinkling a plurality of decorative particles onto an entire surface of the top surface of the plurality of artificial nail tips before the base adhesive dries; d) spraying a top coat adhesive on top of the decorative particles; and e) allowing the top coat adhesive to dry.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the plurality of decorative particles are glitters of at least 0.078 inches in size.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the glitters are diamond shaped glitters.
 16. The method of claim 13 wherein the plurality of decorative particles are micro beads of at least 0.4 mm in diameter.
 17. The method of claim 13 wherein the decorative particles comprises micro beads of at least 0.4 mm in diameter and glitters of at least 0.078 inches in size.
 18. The method of claim 13 wherein the top coat adhesive is a UV Gel overlay.
 19. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps: a) moving the plurality of artificial nail tips to a second wire tray after spraying the base adhesive to the top surface of the plurality of artificial nail tips; and b) moving the plurality of artificial nail tips to a third wire tray after sprinkling the plurality of decorative particles on the entire top surface of the plurality of artificial nail tips. 